Northampton to host state legislators at tax reform forum

A forum Tuesday at JFK Middle School in Northampton will look at state tax reform, with Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, and Rep. Peter Kocot, D-Northampton, in attendance.

Hosted by Yes!Northampton, the Northampton Democratic City Committee, Living Wage Western Massachusetts, Massachusetts Nurses Association and the Young Democrats of Pioneer Valley, the forum will focus on why tax reform is needed and how it can be achieved. The event, which is free, will take place in the JFK Community Room from 7 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Rosenberg and Kocot will share their perspectives and analysis on the prospects for state tax reform for fiscal year 2014 and listen to opinions and suggestions from constituents.

Forum organizers note that because Northampton faces yet another significant budget gap for this coming fiscal year, state tax reform is critical to address this ongoing revenue shortfall. Yes!Northampton is a volunteer organization that seeks to initiate a fair process for raising sufficient revenue to support Northampton’s basic services.

Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed raising revenues and investing in education and transportation. Another proposal, the Act to Invest in Our Communities, which has Rep. Kocot as a co-sponsor, would raise $2 billion in revenues through progressive tax reform.